Why Equine Assisted Therapy Works

Equine Therapy is mainly a powerful, evidence-based experiential modality. The horse-human connection can make a wide range of benefits for teen mental health.
Through equine therapy activities, teens basically gain confidence, build trust, and form healthier boundaries. Moreover, the basic learning how to work with and take care of a horse, with the guidance of an equine therapist, helps clients practice empathy and develop authentic connections.

Ultimately, these skills are mostly transferable to relationships with self, family, and friends. This is an essential step for making the growth and recovery.
How Does Equine Assisted Therapy Work?

Equine Assisted Therapy is also considered as equine therapy, horse therapy, or equestrian therapy. It is mainly an innovative, experiential approach that actively involves horses in mental health treatment. Therefore, the horse is a critically important partner. Equine therapists basically use this relational context to guide and support change.

In Equine Assisted Therapy sessions, all patient teens learn how to accept themselves and others by working with horses, therapists, and peers.

Hence, Equine Assisted Therapy is particularly effective for teens because it mainly allows them to address emotions and issues through direct experience and nonverbal communication.

The Benefits of Equine Assisted Therapy
Equine Assisted Therapy supports teens on multiple levels. Studies have showed that equine therapy offers the following benefits.
• Greater self confidence and self-esteem: In equine therapy, teens mainly learn how to master the new skills of working with horses. As a complete result, they have more confidence in their ability to take on new projects. In addition, their self-esteem grows.
• Better communication skills: Equine Assisted Therapy always teaches adolescents the importance of nonverbal communication. Moreover, the horse’s reaction to their mood helps them see how their emotions and nonverbal cues affect those around them. Furthermore, all they learn to communicate their needs clearly and to be assertive when necessary.
• Improved self-regulation: Because horses react immediately to their behavior, so all teens learn to control and modulate their actions. As having a result, they develop emotional self-awareness and better control over their behavior. And they learn cooperation skills.
• Sense of complete trust: For those teens who have experienced trauma, abuse, or abandonment, learning to trust the horse helps heal these wounds.
• More realistic of self-image: Interacting with horses importantly gives teens a more realistic view of themselves in relationship to a much larger creature. Therefore, equine therapy can be very helpful for teens diagnosed with eating disorders.
• Stronger social skills: A positive relationship with a horse always builds a teenager’s social skills. Hence, they are able to form and strengthen relationships with people.
• Feelings of real connection: Teens basically struggling with mental health or substance abuse often feel alone and isolated. It means the the horse’s unconditional acceptance helps them feel a sense of connection with other living beings and with the larger world.

To summarize, Equine Assisted Therapy programs are a powerful and effective method for addressing mental health challenges. In making an addition, it is a beneficial part of a teen treatment plan, in combination with clinical modalities. Finally, equine therapy usually supports the development of positive relationships with oneself, other people, and our animal friends.